Brit jailed for 'web rage'

A 47-year-old man has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison for what police are describing as Britain's first "web rage" attack.

Paul Gibbons of Southwark, south east London, attacked John Jones of Clacton, Essex, after the two had an argument in a Yahoo! chatroom.

After the argument Gibbons found enough information online to get Jones's address. He went round armed with a pickaxe handle and a friend armed with a machete.

Jones reportedly answered the door holding a knife. He was beaten up and his knife taken off him and used to cut his throat.

Original charges of attempted murder were dropped and Gibbons admitted a charge of unlawful wounding.

Detective Constable Christopher Creagh told the Beeb: "This is the first instance of a web-rage attack."

Police said it showed the importance of protecting your identity online. More from the Beeb here. ®